The IMEX Vigo series is a range of thermostatic shower faucets made of brass, available in a fixed column format with an integrated faucet and a sliding shower bar, with finishes in chrome, matte black, brushed gold, and black gun metal. It offers anti-scald safety and a stable temperature at an affordable price.
If you are looking to upgrade from a single-lever faucet to a shower with a stable temperature without breaking the bank, the Vigo series is one of the most reasonable entry points in the IMEX catalog. It brings together what really matters in a thermostatic shower —brass body, thermostatic cartridge, and temperature limiter— in two very practical formats and four modern finishes. In this guide, we review the models that make it up, how they differ, and how to choose the one that fits your bathroom, with the data taken from the actual product sheets of the IMEX catalog on Merkimarket.
Key data of the Vigo series
- Product type: thermostatic shower faucets (fixed column and sliding bar).
- Body material: brass, the reference standard for corrosion resistance and durability.
- Base reference: BTV013, with suffixes according to the finish (/NG matte black, /OC brushed gold, /BGM black gun metal).
- Available finishes: chrome (silver), matte black, brushed gold, and metallic black or black gun metal.
- Technology: thermostatic cartridge with a safety stop at 38 C to prevent burns.
- Formats: wall column with integrated faucet and shower bar with handle and sprayer.
- Estimated price: around 270 - 320 EUR depending on the model and finish; check each product sheet for the current price.
- Warranty: minimum legal three years for consumers in Spain, plus the seller's commercial warranty.
With this summary you can now place the range; next we develop each point so you can choose wisely.
What is the Vigo series and who is it for
Vigo is IMEX's proposal for those who want to make the leap to a thermostatic shower without entering expensive ranges. The idea is simple: a well-built brass body, the safety of the thermostatic, and a clean design with straight lines that combines with almost any bathroom. It is not the most sophisticated series in the catalog nor does it intend to be; its value lies in offering the essentials of a good shower —water at the exact temperature from the first second— at an affordable price.
It fits especially well in three situations: renovations with a tight budget where you do not want to give up thermostatic comfort, rental bathrooms or second homes where the quality-price ratio is paramount, and homes with children or elderly people where the safety stop against burns is a strong argument. If your priority is a very exclusive design or cutting-edge finishes, other IMEX series like Monza or Génova will give you more options; if what you are looking for is a reliable thermostatic that does not fail, Vigo delivers.
Column or shower bar: the two formats of Vigo
The first decision is not the color, it is the format. The Vigo series is presented in two configurations that solve different needs:
Shower column with integrated faucet. It is the complete set: fixed vertical bar on the wall, top rain-type sprayer, hand shower, and the thermostatic faucet integrated into the column itself. It is the most striking option and the one that transforms the shower into a spa-like experience, ideal when you renew the shower tray and want a notable jump in comfort.
Thermostatic shower bar. Here the thermostatic faucet is built-in or on the wall and the sliding bar holds the handle with the sprayer, which you can raise and lower. It is more discreet, takes up less space, and is very practical when you share the shower between adults and children, because the sprayer is adjusted in height with a gesture.
Models and finishes of the Vigo series
All models start from the same BTV013 reference and differ by format and finish. This is the group photo of the series as it appears in the catalog:
| Model | Format | Finish | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vigo chrome | Column with integrated faucet | Chrome (silver), brass | BTV013 |
| Vigo matte black | Wall column | Matte black | BTV013/NG |
| Vigo brushed gold | Shower bar | Brushed gold | BTV013/OC |
| Vigo black gun metal | Shower bar | Metallic black (black gun metal) | BTV013/BGM |
Chrome is the neutral and most economical option, the one that combines with everything and is the easiest to maintain. Matte black provides contemporary character and hides limescale between cleanings. Brushed gold and black gun metal are the trendy finishes, with a color treatment that resists daily cleaning well without losing tone. A tip: choose the same finish for the column, the drain, and the rest of the bathroom faucets; that detail of the set is what gives the feeling of a carefully finished renovation.
Why a thermostatic shower changes things
The difference between a normal single-lever and a thermostatic is noticeable from the first day. In a single-lever you adjust flow and temperature at the same time, with the typical dance of turning the handle until you hit the right spot and the scares when someone opens a faucet in another part of the house. In a thermostatic like the Vigo there are two independent controls: one regulates the flow and the other sets the temperature with a thermostatic cartridge that keeps it constant even if the water pressure varies.
This translates into three concrete advantages. The first is safety: the stop at 38 C prevents the water from coming out scalding, a key argument with children and elderly people (you can override it consciously by pressing the unlock button). The second is comfort: the shower comes out at the chosen temperature from the first second, without waiting or adjustments. The third is savings: by not wasting water looking for the warm spot, you reduce consumption, something that is noticeable in the bill and that fits with the water efficiency regulations.
Materials and maintenance: what to expect from a Vigo
The body of the Vigo series is made of brass, the reference material in faucets for its corrosion resistance and its weight; always distrust shower faucets that are too light, which usually hide lower quality interiors. The thermostatic cartridge is the piece that does the fine work and, as in the rest of the IMEX catalog, it is replaceable: if over the years it loses precision, it is changed without throwing away the entire column.
Maintenance is simple. Limescale is the number one enemy of any shower in Spain: it is advisable to clean the sprayer and the hand shower regularly, passing a cloth with diluted vinegar or a mild descaler and rinsing well, without abrasive products or scouring pads that scratch the finish. In the sprayers with silicone, it is enough to rub the nozzles with your finger to release the limescale residue. Save the BTV013 reference and its finish suffix: that is what you will need to order a cartridge or hand shower replacement years later.
How to choose your Vigo in 5 steps
- Decide the format. Column with integrated faucet if you want the complete jump in comfort with a rain sprayer; shower bar if you prefer something more discreet and adjustable in height.
- Measure your installation. Check the distance between the water inlets and the available height to the ceiling; the column needs vertical space and a wall that allows the mounting.
- Choose the finish. Chrome for something neutral and economical, matte black for character, brushed gold or black gun metal for a trendy touch. Do not mix it with the rest of the faucets.
- Check the pressure of your home. The thermostatic works better with a stable minimum pressure; if your house is tight on pressure, keep it in mind before buying.
- Close the matching accessories. Drain and sink faucets in the same finish complete the set and are what you notice the most in the final result.
To see it in product, explore the complete IMEX catalog or the thermostatic faucets category. Two references from the series itself give you the measure of the range: the Vigo thermostatic column in brass, the most affordable model, and the Vigo shower bar in brushed gold, the trendy version. And if you are still comparing technologies, our guides on how IMEX thermostatic faucets work and the IMEX shower column comparison will help you.
Frequently asked questions about the IMEX Vigo series
Is the Vigo series really thermostatic?
Yes. All Vigo models mount a thermostatic cartridge with an independent temperature control and a safety stop at 38 C, so that the water comes out stable even if the pressure changes and there is no risk of accidental burns.
What material is the Vigo faucet made of?
The body is made of brass, the standard material in quality faucets for its corrosion resistance. The internal thermostatic cartridge is replaceable, which extends the useful life of the set.
What finishes does the Vigo series have?
It is available in chrome (silver), matte black, brushed gold, and metallic black or black gun metal, all starting from the BTV013 reference with its corresponding suffix.
What warranty does it have?
Like any product sold to consumers in Spain, it has the minimum legal warranty of three years against non-conformity, which the seller can complement with their own commercial warranty and availability of spare parts.
Article written by the Merkimarket editorial team. Technical data (formats, materials, finishes, and references) taken from the product sheets of the IMEX catalog on Merkimarket. Prices and availability may vary; check each product sheet for the current information in Spain.
